Pontoon boat structure



March 20, 1962 v. RASMUSSEN PONTOON BOAT STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1960 Q INVENTOR Mai-a RAsMuss-s BY March 20, 1962 v. RASMUSSEN PONTOON BOAT STRUCTURE 4- Sheets-She-et 2 Filed July 26, 1960 Ih .11: 1: Z

INVENTOR. W660 lPflsMassfizv Armani/s .s-

March 20, 1962 v. RASMUSSEN PONTOON BOAT STRUCTURE.

4 SheetsShe-et 3 Filed July 26, 1960 INVENTOR. W660 knsnusser/ Jrrwewerg Patented Mar. 2%), 19. 62

3,d25,537 PGNEIBQN soar STRUCTURE Jiggo Rasmussen, Viggo (Ionstruction (1a., 2316 E. 25th St, Minneapoiis, Minn. Filed Study 26, 196i), Ser. No. 45AM '7 Qlaims. (ill. 9-i) This invention relates to a novel construction of a pontoon boat. Particular reference is had to such a boat structure as may be readily pulled out of a body of water and moved over land on its own support, such as by being towed by an automotive vehicle. Such boat structures generally have too great a width to be suitably moved over a road. For the purpose of being carried or towed as over a road, such boat structures must generally be partially dismantled and some have portions hinged to be placed in a doubled over position to reduce the width of the boat structure. It is desirable to have a pontoon boat structure which is easily and simply made ready for movement over a road.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a pontoon boat structure constructed and arranged to be readily reduced in width to a desirable road traveling width by the action of being drawn out from a body of water.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a wheel equipped pontoon boat structure with the wheels thereof being automatically positioned to a boat supporting position when said boat structure is reduced to a road traveling width and which are positioned in an out of the water position when said boat structure is afloat.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a pontoon boat structure comprised of a pair of hinged portions forming the platform thereof, a tow bar extending centrally longitudinally of said structure spaced beneath the platform thereof, and a plurality of aligned longitudinally spaced transversely extending tie rods pivoted at their outer ends to side portions of said platform and pivoted at their inner ends to said tow bar, whereby a forward pull on said tow bar while the boat structure is afloat causes said tie rods to be angled forwardly to reduce the width of said boat structure to a desirable width for road travel whereby said boat structure on being withdrawn from a body of water is automatically positioned in a road traveling condition.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a pontoon boat structure having a pontoon supported platform comprised of portions being hinged centrally longitudinally thereof, a tow bar extending centrally longitudinally of said platform and being spaced therebelow, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending tie rods pivotally secured at their outer ends to adjacent portions of said platform and pivoted at their inner ends to said tow bar whereby said rods support said tow bar, a pair of wheels mounted adjacent either side of said platform adjacent the rear portion thereof, said wheels being positioned at an angle to be in an out of the water position when said platform is in a flat condition, as when afloat, and to be vertically disposed to provide ground support for said boat structure when said platform is angled upwardly to be narrowed in width, said tie rods pulling the sides of said structure inwardly toward one another angling said platform upwardly when said tow bar is pulled forwardly in withdrawing said boat structure from a body of water, and means for adjustably holding said platform in said angled position when said structure is being moved over land.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of applicants device .in side elevation in floating position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of applicants device with some portions thereof shown in alternate position in dotted line;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of applicants device with a portion thereof broken away and a portion thereof shown in alternate position in dotted line;

FIG. 4 is a view of applicants device in end elevation;

FIG. 5 is a view of applicants device in side elevation in road traveling condition;

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5 as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a broken away portion of applicants device in perspective showing a detail of construction thereof on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a view in end elevation similar to the view shown in FIG. 4 with applicants device in road traveling condition;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on line 99 of FIG. 3 as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a fargmentary view on an enlarged scale in vertical section of a portion of the rail structure of applicants device; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 10 with the structure in an alternate position.

Referring to the drawings, a pontoon boat structure It) is shown which in the embodiment of the invention here presented comprises a platform 12 substantially rectangular in plan and made up of sections 14 and 15 having adjacent edge portions 16 and 17 extending centrally longitudinally of said platform. Said sections respectively have rear end portions 18 and 19, outer sides 20 and 21, and forward end portions 22 and 23. Said platform will be formed of suitable material.

Extending transversely of the under side of said platform and more specifically of each of the sections thereof and spaced longitudinally thereof are reinforcing ribs 25 here indicated as being formed of channel members substantially U-shaped in vertical section. Said ribs will be secured to said platform in a suitable manner.

Overlying and capping the adjacent sides 16 and 17 and being suitably secured thereto are U-shaped beams or frame members 27 and 28 in back to back position having their respective flange portions overlying the adjacent surface portions of said sections 16 and 17. Secured to the bottom flanegs 27a and 28a of said beams 27 and 28, as by welding, is a piano type hinge 29 extending the full length of said beams and pivotally or hingedly connecting the same and said sections 16 and 17.

Depending from the outer end portions of said ribs 25 and secured thereto, as by nutted bolts 33, are inverted U-shaped brackets 32. Respectively secured, as by welding, to said brackets 32 at either side of said platform 12 to support said platform in water are substantially cylindrical pontoons 34. The end portions of said pontoons are shown to be conical in form and to extend somewhat beyond the ends of said platform 12, as indicated in FIGS. 1-3.

Extending centrally longitudinally of said platform substantially coextensive therewith and spaced therebeneath and shown here to be in vertical alignment with said beams 27 and 28 is a U-shaped channel member forming a tow bar 38. At the forward end portion of said tow bar and disposable therein is an inverted U-shaped extendable portion 39 with a plurality of transversely aligned longitudinally spaced apertures 38a and 39a re spectively through said bar 38 and portion 39 to have disposed therethrough bolts 40 for securing said extendable portion in certain different positions longitudinally of said bar 38. Secured to the free end of said extendable portion is a hitch 41 of a common variety and adapted to be secured to any desired towing means.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 9, disposed transversely of said platform 12 and longitudinally of said ribs 25 are a plurality of pairs of rod-like tie members or tie rods forming links 42. Said links have their outer or remote ends secured to said ribs 25 by being secured thereto by ball and swivel joints 44.

Said ball and swivel joint '44 is of a commonly used type comprising an angle portion 45 having a ball swiveled in a retainer 47 threaded onto a short stud 48 secured to rib 25 by a nut 49. The leg of said angle portion 45 is disposed in an elongated nut-like retainer 50 tapped at its inner end for threaded engagement with the adjacent end of said link 42 for vertical movement relative to said angle portion 45.

At the other or inner end of said links 25 are ball and swivel joints 53, similar to said joints 44 and requiring no separate description. Thus it is seen that said links 25 pivotally support or carry said tow bar 38.

Mounted at either end of said platform 12 and secured to the endwise ribs 25 thereof are locking bars 54 and 55 respectively having intermediate portions formed of turnbuckles 54a and 55a with said bars having eyelet formed ends engaging hooks 58 for holding said platform in a narrowed width position as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8.

Carried at either side platform 12 adjacent the rear end thereof are Wheels 6% and 61 positioned to be at an angle oblique to ground level, as indicated in FIG. 9, and so angled as to be vertically disposed in a ground supported position when said platform is in a narrowed road traveling condition as indicated in FIG. 8. Said wheels may be variously formed and mounted in operating position and are here shown comprising pneumatic tires 62 and 63 mounted on stub shafts 64 and 65, with said shafts being journaled in bearing housings 66 and 67 which may be secured to said platform 12 in various suitable ways known in the art.

Projecting rearwardly of said platform 12 and secured to the adjacent ribs of said sections 14 and 15 is a split transom 70 of known construction for having mounted thereon a suitable propelling means not shown here and which may take the form of an outboard motor.

Upstanding from the upper surface of said platform 12 are a plurality of railings here shown comprising end railings 75, 76, 77 and 78, and side railings 79, 80, 81 and 82. Said railings will be of suitable height and of lengths to be positioned as indicated in FIG. 2. Said railing 75 will be described in detail, and except for the lengths of the side railings, the other railings are of identical construction.

Said railing 75 is substantially of an inverted U shape in form made of tubular pipe stock and is adjustably anchored to said platform for either an upright or a downwardly pivoted position. Referring to FIGS. and 11, supporting said railing 75 at each lower end thereof is an upstanding cylindrical socket 85 having a base flange 86 secured to said platform 12 by bolts 87. Said socket is of a size to receive the bottom leg portion of said railing therein. Inserted in the base of said socket and having its peripheral portion received in an undercut portion 88 of said socket so as to be securely held against the surface of said platform is a centrally apertured plate 89. A well or chamber 90 is formed in said platform beneath said plate member.

The bottom portions of the legs of said railing 75 are pivotal and comprise a portion 91. having a portion of reduced dimension extending upwardly into said railing 75 and being secured thereon by a bolt 92. Said portion has a flattened depending portion 93 mating with a similar portion 94 of a leg portion 95 disposed in said socket 85.

Said overlapping mating portions are pivoted by a and cotter key 97, to form a joint 98. Said portion 95 is of solid construction having a lower end portion tapped for receiving a headed bolt 1% therein, said bolt extend ing upwardly through said apertured plate 59 and actingas a limiting member. Thus when said railing is in upright position, said joint 98 is wholly received within said socket for rigid upright support for said railing. Said railing is easily raised to withdraw said joint 98 from within said socket whereby said railing may be pivoted downwardly in a flat platform resting position, as indicat ed in FIGS. 8 and 11. p

The operation of applicants device will commence with it being in a floating position. The platform 12 will be in a flat horizontal position carried on the Water supported pontoons 34.. The wheel structures 66 and 63., as in dicated particularly in FIG. 9, will be angled obliquely to the ground level in an out of the water position. The railings on the platform will be in upright position. What-- ever means of propelling power is desired may be attached to the transom 70.

The principal problems involved in handling a pontoon boat structure lies in removing the same from a body of water for transport over land. Generally house boats are of a much greater width than would be permitted for an object being carried over a road. Applicant has a very novel and simple construction permitting a substantial reduction in the width of his boat structure with but very little effort on the part of the operator. While in floating position the tow bar 38 by means of a hitch 41 will be secured to the automotive vehicle to be used for transporting the same over a road, as by towing. As the tow bar 38 is pulled forwardly, the links 42 will be angled forwardly, as indicated in FIG. 9, and will thus draw the outer sides of applicants boat structure in a direction toward one another to retract or reduce the width of the platform .12. This is easily accomplished with the structure being in a floating position. By the time that the wheeled portion of the boat structure emerges from the water, the structure will have been reduced to a desirable width and the wheel structures 60 and 61, as indicated in FIG. 8, will have moved into planes vertical to the ground level, whereby the boat structure will emerge or be withdrawn up onto land on said wheels 60 and 61. The locking rods 54 and 55 will be placed in locking position to hold the sections of the platform in an angled position, as shown in FIG. 8. Applicant in one embodiment of his invention reduces the width of his boat structure from a width of eight feet to one of 5 6 inches. The reduction in width will be somewhat dependent on the diameter of the pontoons used, as is also indicated in FIG. 8.

Prior to the withdrawal of the boat structure from a floating position, the railings on the platform will simply be raised partially outwardly of the sockets 85 and pivoted inwardly to lie in a substantially flat condition on said platform. These may be locked in such position by suitable means. It is seen that the applicant through the use of the bolts 1% in connection with the sockets 85 provides a very simple and effective limiting means on the extent to which the railings may be withdrawn from said sockets.

Thus it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple and effective means requiring but very little effort on the part of the operator to place his pontoon boat structure in a road traveling condition.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a structure capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a substantially rectangular platform, said platform comprising sections hingedly connected centrally longitudinally thereof, a pair of pontoons at the underside of said platform respectively adjacent either outer side thereof, an elongated bar member extending centrally longitudinally of said platform and spaced therebelow, a plurality of pairs of tie rods aligned in opposed relation transversely of said platform therebelow and spaced longitudinally thereof having their remote ends respectively pivoted to portions of "said platform and having their adjacent ends respectively pivoted to said bar member, and a pair of wheels respectively mounted at either side of said platform adjacent the rearward portion thereof independent of said pontoons and disposed to be respectively at angles oblique to the ground level when said platform is in flat floating condition whereby in ground supported position said sections are angularly raised by longitudinal movement of said bar member to raise said pontoons above ground level and to lower said wheels to a vertical ground supported position.

2. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a platform, said platform comprising sections hingedly connected longitudinally thereof, a tow bar extending longitudinally of said platform substantially vertically aligned with said hinged connection and spaced therebelow, a plurality of pairs of tie rods in opposed relation aligned transversely of said platform and spaced longitudinally thereof having their outer ends pivoted to said platform and their inner ends respectively pivoted to said tow bar, a pair of wheels respectively mounted independent of said pontoons at either side of said platform adjacent the rearward portion thereof, said wheels being positioned to be automatically at angles oblique to the ground level when said boat structure is afloat and to be in a vertical ground supported position when said boat structure is in condition for road travel whereby said wheels are moved from oblique to vertical position or the reverse by the longitudinal movement of said bar member in angularly raising said platform sections or lowering them to a flat horizontal position.

3. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a platform comprising a pair of sections, means for hingedly connecting said sections centrally of said platform, a tow bar extending centrally of said platform therebelow, a plurality of links at either side of said tow bar extending transversely of said platform and spaced longitudinally thereof, the outer ends of said links being pivoted to outer portions of said platform, the inner ends of said links being pivoted to said tow bar, a pair of wheels respectively mounted at either side of said platform, means for automatically holding said wheels at angles oblique to the ground level to be in an out of the water position when said boat structure is afloat and in a vertical ground supported position when said boat structure is in a road traveling condition, and a pair of pontoons secured to the underside of said platform at opposite sides thereof for supporting said boat structure in water with said pontoons being substantially parallel to said tow bar whereby a forward pull on said tow bar in withdrawing said boat structure from, a body of water in connection with said tie rods angles said sections upwardly along their hinged connection to reduce the width of said boat structure.

4. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a platform comprising a pair of sections, means hingedly connecting said sections centrally of said platform, a tow bar extending centrally of said platform therebelow, means pivotally connecting said tow bar to said platform to adjacent either side edge portion of said platform, and a pontoon carried by said platform adjacent either side edge portion thereof at either side of said tow bar whereby a forward pull on said tow bar in withdrawing said boat structure from a body of water automatically angles the central hinged portion of said platform upwardly drawing the side edge portions thereof toward one another to narrow the width of said platform.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, and means for \adjustably locking said platform in said narrowed position.

6. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a platform comprising a pair of sections, means for hingedly connecting said sections centrally of said platform, means pivotally connecting transversely spaced portions of said platform for angularly raising the central portion of said platform to move the outer side portions thereof in a direction toward one another to narrow the width of said platform, and a pair of pontoons carried by said platform at the side edge portions thereof for supporting said platform in a body of water whereby said second mentioned means responsive to a forward pull thereof automatically reduces the width of said platform.

7. A pontoon boat structure having in combination, a platform comprising a pair of sections, said sections being connected centrally longitudinally thereof, means for holding said sections in a connected relationship responsive to a forward pull thereof for automatically reducing the width of said platform, a pair of wheels mounted on said platform being automatically angled to a ground supported position when said platform is reduced in width, and means for holding said platform in condition having a reduced width for road travel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

